Plow Blade Wing

ABSTRACT

A wing extension for a plow blade is disclosed which comprises an extension plow blade having a plow surface for plowing a desired material; and mounting means for pivotally mounting the extension plow blade to an existing plow blade. The extension plow blade is pivotable from a first use position in alignment with the existing plow blade to a second rearwardly deflected position on contact with an immovable object. A biasing member, such as a torsion spring, is provided for biasing the extension plow blade in the first use position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wing for a plow blade. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a wing for a plow bladewhere the wing is rotatable from a use position to a folded back ornon-use position on impact with a solid object and then returns to itsuse position once the object has been passed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is often desired to extend the working width of a plow blade throughthe use of wings or extension members. Such wing extensions have beenused on all manner of plow blades including those used in farmequipment, construction equipment, snow removal equipment, etc.

In the area of snow removal, vehicles are routinely converted to a snowplow through the provision of a snow plow blade which can be affixed tothe front end of a vehicle.

Also known is the provision of wings or extensions which can be affixedto a snow plow blade to extend the working width of the blade. In somecases the wings or extensions are affixed to an existing blade in such amanner to permit movement of the wings or extensions in response tomovement of the blade to which they are attached. Further such wings orextensions can be rotatably mounted with respect to the central blade topermit the wings to be folded back when not in use for easiertransport/storage.

U.S. Patent Publication 2009/0307941 to Gamble, II discloses a centralplow blade including end wings which are movable independently of themain or central plow blade. The publication provides for wing bladescoupled to each end of the center blade where the wing blades arepivotally connected to the center blade. Each wing blade is configuredto independently pivot from a first position to a second position morethan 90 degrees relative to the central blade. The plow includes anactuator to facilitate movement of each wing blade by an operator of theplow.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,751,894 to Verseef relates to a snow plow with a centralplow blade and wing blades rotatably attached thereto. The wing bladescan be folded inwardly and outwardly with respect to the main blade. Therotation of the wing blades with respect to the main blade permits thesnow removal device to be partially collapsed making transportation andor storage of the snow plow blade less difficult.

When a snow plow blade encounters a trip hazard or other solid immovableobject, significant stresses are transferred from the blade which cancause damage to the blade or vehicle. Additionally, when a trip hazardor solid object is encountered, it can cause the vehicle to jump andthis sudden unexpected jolt can distract the driver, possibly causing anaccident due to loss of vehicle control.

In this regard it is known to provide a trip plate or trip edges to asnow plow. Such a trip plate mechanism is provided at the lower edge ofthe blade which is in contact with the pavement or other surface to beplowed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,172 to Verseef discloses such a trip edge.Such a trip edge enables the plow to pass over trip hazards withouttransferring significant impact forces to the plow. The trip edge ismounted to the lower edge of the plow blade in a displaceable manner sothat the trip edge swings up and away from the pavement when a triphazard is encountered. Such a system works for trip hazards such asmanhole covers, raised portions etc.

As noted hereinabove, it is often desirable to extend the width of aplow blade with wing or extension members so that a wider area can beplowed in one sweep. However, the provision of wings or blade extensionscan cause problems when solid or immovable objects are encountered bythe wing blades. As plows are typically moving at speeds in excess of 10mph, considerable damage can result to both the vehicle, existing plowblade and wing blades, when the wing blades encounter an immovable orsolid object, such as a large rock, curb, etc. Additionally, there isthe added hazard of the driver being distracted and potentially losingcontrol of the vehicle due to the jolt occurring on impact with anobject. Still further, in the case of snow removal operations when aheavy load of snow is on the wing blade, the plow vehicle will tend towant to slide sideways, this is especially true in icy conditions. Thisside slip can also be hazardous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides wings or extension members for a plowblade to extend the working width of the blade and reduce the stressesto the wings, plow blade and vehicle when the wings impact on a solid orimmovable object. Further the wing extension member of the presentinvention reduces side slip of a snow plow vehicle which is hazardousand which can occur when an excessive snow load is on the wing blade andicy conditions are encountered.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention there isprovided a wing extension for a plow blade which comprises an extensionplow blade having a plow surface for plowing a desired material; andmounting means for pivotally mounting the extension plow blade to anexisting plow blade such that the extension plow blade is pivotable froma first use position in alignment with the existing plow blade to asecond rearwardly deflected position. A biasing means is provided forbiasing the extension plow blade in the first use position.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a wing extension for use with a plow blade. The wing extensioncomprises: a frame member; a plow surface for contact with a substanceto be plowed where the plow surface is fixedly mounted to said framemember. A mounting member is provided for pivotably mounting the framemember to the plow blade, such that the frame member is pivotable from afirst use position in alignment with the plow blade, and a seconddeflected position at a rearward angle with respect to the plow blade.Biasing means are provided for biasing the frame member in a first useposition.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a snow plowblade comprising: a main snow plow blade having a pair of ends; at leastone wing extension pivotably mounted with respect to at least one of theends and pivotable from a first use position to a second rearwardlydeflected position; and biasing means for biasing the at least one wingextension in the first use position. When in the first use position, thewing extension is in alignment with the main snow plow blade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present inventionshowing the wings or extensions of the present invention mounted on bothsides of a plow blade and in their normal use position;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention,showing the wings in their deflected position;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of an embodiment showing the wing blade ina storage or non-use position;

FIG. 2 is a front expanded view of the components of the wing blade ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the wing blade and mounting mechanism of thepresent invention when the wing is in a normal use position;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the wing blade and mounting mechanism of thepresent invention when the wing is in a deflected position, such as onencountering an immovable object;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the wing, showing the frame in an assembledcondition, and the backing sheet removed; and

FIG. 6 is a partial rear view of another embodiment of the wing for useas a snow scoop and mounted on an existing snow plow blade at an angledorientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 1A-1C, these figures illustrate the wing orextension members 10 of the present invention pivotably mounted to anexisting snow plow blade 12 on a truck. Although the figures illustratethe wing extension mounted to a snow plow blade, it will be appreciatedthat the wing extensions of the present invention could also be utilizedwith other plow blades, such as those used in the fanning andconstruction industries.

Although the figures illustrate two wing members 10, one mounted on eachend of the existing snow plow blade 12, only a single wing mounted onone end of the snow plow blade 12 can be used if desired.

The wing members 10 include a lower cutting edge 14, generally inalignment with the lower cutting edge 16 of the existing blade 12.

In FIG. 1A the wing blades 10 are shown in alignment with the existingblade 12; this is the normal use position when plowing.

In FIG. 1B, the wing blades 10 are shown in their deflected positionwhich would occur on impact with a solid immovable object, such as acurb or rock, during the plowing operation. The wing extension wouldalso be deflected into a rearward position in situations where the loadof material being plowed impacting on the blade is excessively heavy tothus reduce stresses on the plow and, in the case of snow removaloperations, to avoid side slip of the vehicle.

In FIG. 1C, the wing blades 10 are shown in a storage or non-useposition, where the wing blades 10 are folded rearwardly back into aposition where they can be secured to a rear face of the snow plow blade12. Such a storage position is used when an operator does not wish touse the wing blades 10, such as during transportation between locationsor when plowing narrower areas. The wing blades 10 can be moved into astorage position manually and locked into place. In other embodiments,the wing blades can be moved into a storage position through the use ofactuators which can be in the form of electrical or hydraulic actuatorsor any other suitable actuators, which could be activated by an operatorof the vehicle.

As will be discussed hereinafter in more detail, the wing blades 10 arepivotably mounted with respect to existing plow blade 12. A biasingmember, such as a torsion spring or springs 60, is provided such thatthe wing blades 10 are biased in an aligned or use position with respectto the existing plow blade 10 so that once the immovable object has beenpassed (deflecting the wing blade 10) the wing blades 10 willautomatically return to their normal use position in alignment with theexisting plow blade 12.

When the plow blade 12 is mounted to a vehicle for snow removalpurposes, it is typically mounted in a forwardly angled position, thusthe torsion spring 60 is preferably at an angled axis with respect tothe surface to be plowed. Due to the angled axis, the snow being plowedwill be directed off the wing blade 10 in an upward direction when thewing blade 10 is deflected rearward, this trajectory will deposit thesnow on top of an existing snow bank thus reducing fall back of snowonto the road.

FIG. 2 illustrates the components of the wing blade 10 in an expandedview. FIGS. 3 and 4 are rear views showing the wing in assembledconditions, with FIG. 3 depicting the rear view when the wing is in itsnormal use position generally within the same plane as the existing plowblade 12 and FIG. 4 when the wing is in a deflected position which wouldresult on encountering an immovable object or in the case of a heavyload on the wing blade 10. FIG. 5 is a front view of the wing blade 10and mounting 40 showing the sheet or panel 18 removed from the frame 20.

The wing blade 10 includes the panel member 18. The panel can be made ofany material suitable to withstand the forces of the substance beingplowed, such as snow during a snow removal operation. In a preferredarrangement, the sheet is a ⅜″ polystyrene sheet, although othermaterials could be utilized. The panel member 18 is mounted to a framemember 20. The frame member 20 includes top and bottom support members22, 24 including mounting apertures 26 for mounting of the panel 18thereon. Panel 18 includes mounting apertures 28 which correspond to theapertures 26 of the support members 22, 24, which permit the bolting ofthe panel 18 to the support members 22, 24.

The frame member 20 is provided with a rear support column 32 connectingthe top and bottom support members 22, 24. Further attached to thesupport column 32 are hinge arms 34 including hinge members 36 extendingtherefrom. The hinge members are in the form of barrel hinge membershaving hollow cylindrical sections, although other hinge arrangementscan be utilized.

A mounting member 40 is provided for mounting of frame member 20 to anexisting snow plow blade (not shown). The mounting member 40 includeshinge members 42 which are complementary to the hinge members 36 of theframe member 20. One end of the mounting member 40 is fixedly secured toan existing snow plow blade 12 through the use of bolts or other fixingmeans (not shown) and the other end of the mounting member 40 includesthe hinge members 42 for mounting the frame member 20 thereto.

The hinge members 36 of the frame member 20 and the hinge members 42 ofthe mounting member 40 are aligned together, with the hinge members 36being in a position adjacent the complementary hinge members 42. A steelbar or rod 50 slides through the hollow central shaft created by thehinge members 36, 42 when aligned to retain the hinge members togetherthus affixing the mounting member 40 and the frame member 20 to oneanother and allow for pivoting or rotation of the frame member 20 withrespect to the mounting member 40.

The wing blade 10 can be readily removed from the mounting member 40through removal of the steel rod 50 and disengagement of the hingemembers 36,42. In this manner, the wing blade 10 can be easily removedwhen desired with the mounting member 40 being retained on the existingplow blade 12. This arrangement permits the removal and reattachment ofthe wing member in a quick and easy manner.

Also provided is a biasing member, such as at least one torsion spring60 which can be centrally located on the bar 50 in a position betweenupper and lower hinge members. The torsion spring 60 includes an anchorpin 62 which is received and retained in an aperture 39 on the hinge arm34. The spring further includes a lower portion 61 which includes means63 for releasably securing the spring 60 to the bar 50. In theillustrated embodiment, the means 63 for releasably securing the spring60 to the bar 50 is in the form of a threaded aperture and bolt (notshown) arrangement. Tightening of the bolt through the aperturefrictionally secures the lower end 61 of the spring 60 to the bar 50.

In a preferred embodiment, the upper end of the torsion spring 60 isretained in position by portion 101 of hinge 36 which fits inside thetop portion of spring 60 and by the anchor pin 62. The means 63 forreleasably securing the spring 60 to the bar 50 retains the lower end ofthe spring 60 in position. With the spring 60 securely in place, torsioncan be applied thereto and retained as will be discussed hereinafter.

The bar 50 also includes an adjustment mechanism 52 at the top thereofto permit adjusting the torsion of the torsion spring 60 depending onthe desired torsion/load required. The adjusting mechanism 52 is in theform of a circular member having a plurality of spaced apart apertures57 along the periphery thereof. The adjusting member 52 is rotated thusrotating the rod 50 and imparting tension to the spring 60. Once thedesired load is imparted to the spring, a pin 53 is inserted through anaperture and into a retaining slot 59 on the mounting means 40 where itis releasably locked with a locking pin 70 thus retaining the tensionapplied to the spring 60.

The tension can be readily adjusted by removing the locking pin 70,removing the pin 53 and adjusting the tension as noted above. Typically,the tension applied to the spring 60 will be 40 to 200 foot pounds.Preferred spring loads are approximately 60 to 80 foot pounds, althoughit will be appreciated that any desired load can be applied to thespring 60.

Due to the tension or load applied to the spring 60, when in use and onencountering an immovable object, the wing blade 10 will deflectrearwardly, thus avoiding impact stresses to the wing plow blade 10,existing plow blade 12 and vehicle. Once the object has been passed, thewing blade 10 will automatically return to its normal use position, ingeneral alignment with the existing blade 12.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of another embodiment of a wing blade 10 accordingto the present invention. In FIG. 6, the wing blade 10 is configured tobe used as a snow scoop. To this end the wing blade 10 is mounted at aforward angle with respect to the existing snow plow blade, rather thanin alignment with the existing snow plow blade 12. The wing blade 10 canbe mounted at any desired angle with respect to the existing blade 12,although preferred angles would be 15-30 degrees, with a particularlypreferred angle being 22.5 degrees. All of the remainder of the featuresare the same as depicted in the other figures.

Having thus described preferred embodiments of the invention, it will beappreciated that various modifications can be made thereto withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

1. A wing extension for a plow blade, comprising: an extension plowblade having a plow surface for plowing a desired material; mountingmeans for pivotally mounting the extension plow blade to an existingplow blade, said extension plow blade pivotable from a first useposition in alignment with the existing plow blade to a secondrearwardly deflected position; and biasing means for biasing theextension plow blade in the first use position.
 2. The wing extensionaccording to claim 1, wherein the biasing means is at least one torsionspring.
 3. The wing extension according to claim 1, wherein the biasingmeans is in the form of at least two torsion springs.
 4. The wingextension according to claim 1, wherein said mounting means comprises: aframe member having a first edge for fixedly mounting said mountingmeans to the existing plow blade and a second edge including hinge meansfor pivotally mounting said wing extension.
 5. The wing extensionaccording to claim 2, further comprising adjustment means for adjustinga load on the torsion springs.
 6. The wing extension according to claim4, wherein the wing extension includes further hinge means, the furtherhinge means being complementary to the hinge means of the mountingmeans, said hinge means and further hinge means being barrel hingesforming a hollow passage therethrough when aligned.
 7. The wingextension according to claim 5, wherein the adjustment means comprises arod extending through the hollow passage of the hinge means, said springmounted on said rod between hinge means.
 8. The wing extension accordingto claim 1, wherein said wing member is movable to a third position,said third position being a storage position where the wing extensionmember is rotated rearward to a position parallel to a rear surface ofthe existing plow blade.
 9. The wing extension according to claim 8,wherein the wing member is movable to said third position throughhydraulic means or mechanical means actuated by an operator.
 10. Thewing extension according to claim 8, further comprising locking meansfor locking the wing extension in said third position.
 11. A wingextension for use with a plow blade, said wing extension comprising: aframe member; a plow surface for contact with a substance to be plowed,said plow surface fixedly mounted to said frame member; a mountingmember for pivotably mounting said frame member to the plow blade, suchthat said frame member is pivotable from a first use position inalignment with the plow blade, and a second deflected position at arearward angle with respect to the plow blade; biasing means for biasingsaid frame member in a first use position.
 12. The wing extensionaccording to claim 11 wherein the frame member is also pivotable to athird position, wherein the third position is a non-use storageposition, parallel to a back surface of the plow blade.
 13. The wingextension according to claim 12, further including releasable lock meansfor locking the frame member in the third position.
 14. The wingextension according to claim 11, wherein said biasing means is in theform of at least one torsion spring.
 15. The wing extension memberaccording to claim 14, further including torque adjustment means foradjusting the torque on said at least one torsion spring.
 16. The wingextension according to claim 1, wherein the plow blade is a snow plowblade.
 17. A snow plow blade comprising: a main snow plow blade having apair of ends; at least one wing extension pivotably mounted with respectto at least one of the ends and pivotable from a first use position to asecond rearwardly deflected position; biasing means for biasing the atleast one wing extension in the first use position; wherein when in saidfirst use position, the wing extension is in alignment with the mainsnow plow blade.
 18. The snow plow blade according to claim 17, furthercomprising a mounting frame having first and second mounting surfaces,said first mounting surface adapted to secure the mounting frame to themain snow plow blade and the second mounting surface adapted for pivotalmounting of said at least one wing extension.
 19. The snow plow bladeaccording to claim 17, wherein said biasing means is in the form of atleast one torsion spring.
 20. The snow plow blade according to claim 19,further comprising adjusting means for adjusting torque on the at leastone torsion spring.
 21. The snow plow blade according to claim 17,wherein the wing extension is pivotable to a third position, said thirdposition being a storage position where the wing extension is foldedagainst a rear surface of the main snow plow blade.
 22. The snow plowblade according to claim 21, further comprising lock means to releasablylock the wing extension in said third position.
 23. The snow plow bladeaccording to claim 21, further comprising actuating means for movingsaid wing extension from said first use position to said third storageposition.
 24. The snow plow blade according to claim 21, wherein saidactuating means is selected from the group consisting of mechanical,pneumatic and electric means.